---
title: "The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, o… — John Acton Quote #19 | QuotesBy.net"
description: "The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority, that succeeds, by force or frau… — a quote by John Acton."
image: "https://quotesby.net/wp-content/themes/quotesby-editorial/assets/og-default.png"
---

> # The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority, that succeeds, by force or fraud, in carrying elections.

[John Acton](https://quotesby.net/John-Acton)\#19

Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.

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## More from John Acton

1. > It was from America that the plain ideas that men ought to mind their business, and that the nation is responsible to Heaven for the acts of the State - ideas …

[Permalink to quote \#18](https://quotesby.net/John-Acton/18/ "Permalink to quote 18")
2. > Truth is the only merit that gives dignity and worth to history.

[Permalink to quote \#20](https://quotesby.net/John-Acton/20/ "Permalink to quote 20")
3. > Liberty and good government do not exclude each other; and there are excellent reasons why they should go together. Liberty is not a means to a higher politica…

[Permalink to quote \#17](https://quotesby.net/John-Acton/17/ "Permalink to quote 17")

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